JEDDAH, 25 January 2007 — Jeddah Rugby Club (JRFC) beat the visiting Royal Navy rugby team from HMS Campbeltown three games to two in a trio of increasingly hard fought matches on Monday. The determination of both sides to win and the extremely tough but foul-free nature of the game characterized the encounter.
“It was challenging to gain yards on Campbeltown and score,” JRFC captain Jacob Ball said. The JRC won the first of the three seven-a-side matches 12 points to seven with two tries and one conversion against one try. Jeddah were very fast off the mark and ran in the first try in the first few minutes. Campbeltown was down but certainly not out — “And they proved that by winning there second match,” said Ball.
The Royal Navy recovered in the second encounter and, with some fine individual performances and one classic intercepted pass, followed by a sprint the full length of the pitch, managed to tame Jeddah. With some very determined running added by the Campbeltown front row forwards and a couple of accurate conversions they overcame Jeddah 14 points to seven-two converted tries to one.
Honors even and the teams having pushed themselves hard, they agreed to a final and unscheduled deciding match.
“The third and decisive match I was very proud of Jeddah RFC,” said Ball. “This one included players from the Saudi Scorpions.” The Scorpions, all members of JRFC, are an all-Saudi rugby seven team who compete under their own banner at tournaments around the GCC. “With our combined efforts we won the day,” said Ball.
Captain Richard Frost, who refereed the matches, said that the conditions and the preparation of the pitch and the spirit of the players made the event a pleasure to referee. “Over the three periods, both teams raised their games both in defense and attack,” he said. “Both sides knew and stuck to the rules and, although very competitively played, no one crossed the fine line.” He added it was a pleasure to oversee such keenly contested matches.
The first two matches were competitive, but in the decider, both sides changed up a gear. Tackles were hard, runs focused and the passing on both sides sharp and precise.
However, Jeddah’s preparation and fitness programs, even with the handicap of not having a head club coach, proved their worth and carried them through the match. Campbeltown, although close to scoring on two occasions, were kept off away from the try-line by concerted defense from JRFC who were in no mood to allow any leeway at all. Several telling grubber kicks though the Campbeltown three-quarters line allowed JRFC to punch through the navy defense and top out with 22 points to 0, three tries and one conversion making up the tally.
Ball was magnanimous in victory. “I’d like to thank the Campbeltown crew for coming ashore and playing some fast and very exciting rugby,” he said.
“It was wonderful to see so many rugby fans out to watch the local rugby action between the JRFC and the HMS Campbeltown. It shows that there are people here in Jeddah who enjoy rugby. I saw expats from countries with strong rugby history cheering alongside of people from Saudi Arabia, Yeman and Pakistan. It’s a great sport to play and thrilling to watch.”
However, as the saying goes, “it is not over ‘till it’s over.” HMS Campbeltown returns to Jeddah in six weeks and a return meet is scheduled for March 5 or 6. “We will return,” said one tired sailor with a grin, “and we want our revenge!”
